Six eco-friendly high street fashion brands for the environmental shopper

April 24, 2019

While you may be under the impression that it’s difficult to find fashion brands that are ethical and sustainable, it’s actually far easier than you think.​

An increasing number of fashion labels are declaring their commitment to looking after the environment, many of which are available to purchase on the high street.

In October 2018, the Environmental Audit Committee wrote a letter to 10 of the biggest high street stores in the UK urging the companies to take action against “fast fashion“, and encourage their customers not to waste clothing.

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Here are six brands that have proven their eco-friendly values as of late:

Weekday

It features a range of clothes that has been manufactured from 100 per cent recycled materials.

Produced in collaboration with Spanish upcycling company Recover, the environmentally-friendly collection includes a variety of clothing ideal for work, stylish denim pieces and chic sleepwear.

leftCreated with Sketch.rightCreated with Sketch.

1/20 Reuben Selby and Maisie Williams

The pair attended the Stella McCartney fashion show on Monday.

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2/20 Halima Aden

The model rocked a black and electric blue outfit at the Stella McCartney show.

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3/20 Clemence Poesy

The French actor sported an oversized blazer and white shirt at the McCartney show.

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4/20 Oprah Winfrey and Janelle Monae

The pair cosied up on the FROW at Stella McCartney in Paris.

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5/20 Karlie Kloss, Edward Enninful and Oprah Winfrey

The mode, British Vogue editor-in-chief and broadcaster posed together for a snap on the FROW.

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6/20 Shailene Woodley

The ‘Big Little Lies’ star sat on the front row at Balmain.

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7/20 Pixie Geldof

The British model-turned-singer was spotted on the front row at the Celine show on Saturday evening.

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8/20 Florence Pugh

The British actor attended the Chloe show on Thursday wearing a long-sleeved maxi dress with pink and silver embellishment. She paired the look with lace-up boots and paid homage to thee French fashion house by carrying one of its signature handbags.

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9/20 Josephine de la Baume

The French actor and model was spotted in the FROW at the Chloe show on Thursday. She wore a pair of high-waisted patterned trousers with a cream blouse.

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10/20 Mia Goth

The British actor attended the Chloe show on Thursday wearing a pair of checked shorts paired with a black high-neck blouse, knee-high boots and a handbag from the French fashion house.

12/20 Camille Rowe

The impressive roster of talents sat in the front row at the Dior show on Tuesday.

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14/20 Jenna Coleman, Charlotte Le Bon and Jeanne Damas

The brunette trio of talents sat in the front row at Dior.

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15/20 Ezra Miller

The actor sat in the front row at Saint Laurent on Tuesday evening.

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16/20 Amber Valletta

The American supermodel sat in the front row at Saint Laurent.

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17/20 Lindsay Lohan

The American actor sat alongside her sister, Aliana, at the Saint Laurent show.

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18/20 Felicity Jones

The ‘On the basis of sex’ star donned a velvet suit for the Saint Laurent show.

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19/20 Salma Hayek

The actor paired her burgundy blazer with a bright green pussybow blouse.

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20/20 Kate Moss

The British supermodel arrived looking chic as ever at the Saint Laurent show in a black velvet tailored suit, pared with a simple white shirt.

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1/20 Reuben Selby and Maisie Williams

The pair attended the Stella McCartney fashion show on Monday.

Getty Images

2/20 Halima Aden

The model rocked a black and electric blue outfit at the Stella McCartney show.

Getty Images

3/20 Clemence Poesy

The French actor sported an oversized blazer and white shirt at the McCartney show.

Getty Images

4/20 Oprah Winfrey and Janelle Monae

The pair cosied up on the FROW at Stella McCartney in Paris.

Getty Images

5/20 Karlie Kloss, Edward Enninful and Oprah Winfrey

The mode, British Vogue editor-in-chief and broadcaster posed together for a snap on the FROW.

Getty Images

6/20 Shailene Woodley

The ‘Big Little Lies’ star sat on the front row at Balmain.

Getty Images

7/20 Pixie Geldof

The British model-turned-singer was spotted on the front row at the Celine show on Saturday evening.

Dave Benett/Getty Images

8/20 Florence Pugh

The British actor attended the Chloe show on Thursday wearing a long-sleeved maxi dress with pink and silver embellishment. She paired the look with lace-up boots and paid homage to thee French fashion house by carrying one of its signature handbags.

Getty Images

9/20 Josephine de la Baume

The French actor and model was spotted in the FROW at the Chloe show on Thursday. She wore a pair of high-waisted patterned trousers with a cream blouse.

Getty Images

10/20 Mia Goth

The British actor attended the Chloe show on Thursday wearing a pair of checked shorts paired with a black high-neck blouse, knee-high boots and a handbag from the French fashion house.

Mango

Its goal is for 50 per cent of the cotton used in its collections to be sourced sustainably by 2022.

“The future of fashion starts here.The views of consumers and sustainability awareness have evolved exponentially in recent years, in the same way that fashion has,” said Daniel López, vice chairman of the company.

“Mango is committed to making its business model more sustainable.”

Reformation

Los Angeles-based fashion brand Reformation has become a firm favourite among fashion aficionados over the past few years, for both its stylish designs and commitment towards sustainable fashion.

The company states that it sources the “most beautiful and sustainable fabrics possible”, explaining that it places materials in five categories depending on how much impact they’re going to have on the environment.

“We tried to make these standards as holistic as possible, taking into consideration water input, energy input, land use, eco-toxicity, greenhouse gas emissions, human toxicity, availability and price,” the brand outlines.

These five categories are: “Allstars”, “Better than most”, “Could be better”, “Don’t use unless certified”, and “Eww, never”.

Reformation’s goal is to create at least three quarters of its clothing with materials in the top two categories.

Ksenia Schnaider

Ukrainian fashion label Ksenia Schnaider has been an advocate of sustainable fashion ever since it was founded in 2011 by husband and wife duo Ksenia and Anton Schnaider.

“As a designer, it’s important for me to create clothing not only with organic and vintage materials, but also to make them cutting-edge,” Ksenia said.

“After all, people, especially from the post Soviet generation, are still not buying something just because it’s good for the planet. They want something that they believe is cool and what makes them look good.”

Boasting celebrity fans including Bella Hadid and Dua Lipa, Ksenia Schnaider has been making waves in the fashion industry over the past few years.

In September 2018, the brand unveiled its SS19 collection, demonstrating its prowess with denim for which it’s become well-known.

H&M

Earlier this month, H&Mannounced that it is well on its way to using 100 per cent sustainable materials in the manufacturing process.

This year, 57 per cent of the fabrics used by H&M group are recycled or sustainably sourced.

This percentage has increased by 22 per cent in just one year.

The fashion label explained it hopes to be 100 per cent sustainable by 2030.

In 2013, the high street brand became the first fashion company to launch a clothing collection initiative across the globe.

From February 2013, customers have been able to hand in secondhand clothes in H&M stores.

Matt and Nat

As a vegan fashion label, Matt & Nat is paving the way for other brands by not using any animal products in its production line.

That’s not all, as the company also uses recycled plastic bottles to create its bags.

“In addition to being vegan, sustainable materials are constantly sourced in design such as cork and rubber,” the label states.

Celebrities who have expressed their support for Matt & Nat include Natalie Portman, Olivia Wilde, Charlize Theron and Tobey Maguire.

The label’s SS19 collection uses an array of bold colours and sharp lines for a striking overall statement.

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